He opened another cabinet and pulled out a large container of coffee. He set it on the counter beside her, without looking at her, or saying a word.
“Thank you.” She added several scoops of coffee, searching for some way to crack his armor. She glanced at the boy, an idea taking shape. She knew she was playing dirty, but she was getting desperate. “How long has Dara lived in Stonewall Crossing? I get the impression she’s new.”
He glanced at her. “She just moved here.”
“I thought so.” She watched the coffee brewing, trying not to react to the fact that he was talking to her. “She’s still learning the town, asking lots of questions. She’s been such a help at the bakery.”
“She’s been working at the bakery?” he asked.
Josie nodded. “I’d been talking to Miss Worley about how much work it is, with Dad’s injury and all, and she volunteered. She’s a solid baker, but she loves the decorating part. I think her cookies are the prettiest in the shop.”
“She’s artsy. Real creative.” He stopped, turning one of the mugs around in his hands. “Still need help?”
Josie couldn’t hide her surprise. “Really?” He must really like Dara, to offer his help to her. “S-sure.” In case he didn’t know, she added, “I... I’ll be there, too, you know?”
“Yeah.” For a split second he wasn’t fuming. His blue-green eyes assessed her carefully before he frowned. He sounded a little sad, a little irritated, when he said, “But my dad won’t be.” He was watching her, as if he was waiting for something.
She didn’t really know what to say, so she murmured, “Oh.”
Renata swept into the kitchen, eyeing them both before asking, “Coffee ready? Eli, where are the trays? We can’t go back and forth with everything.” She paused. “Wow, Josie, did you clean up? It looks great, thanks.”
“Of course,” she said. “It’s the least I can do after the lovely dinner. Your dad’s quite the cook.”
“I guess that’s what single men do—learn to cook.” Renata smiled. “My dad, your dad, all of my brothers. Well, not Ryder. But he’s really good about visiting right at dinnertime so he never goes hungry.” She put the sugar pot on the tray, then pulled out a small pitcher and some milk. “Hunter’s the best cook, after my dad. Guess he’s got more than himself to feed.” Renata nudged her nephew, earning her a smile from Eli.
When she carried the coffee into the living room, conversation was in full swing. Hunter was sitting at one end of a long leather couch, with enough room for her to sit beside him. And as much as she wanted to sit there and sink into his side, she didn’t. Instead, she perched on a small stool in front of the roaring fireplace, taking care not to look at Hunter or the inviting spot beside him.
“I don’t care what the zoo official says.” Archer was shaking his head. “I’m sick and tired of the excuses. Bottom line is they don’t want the cheetah, even if she is rehabilitated.”
“But why?” Lola asked. “I don’t understand, Archer.”
“Money’s tight, funding is hard to come by, and she’s one more mouth to feed and body to vaccinate.”
“What will you do?” Josie asked, doctoring her coffee with extra sugar. “Can you keep her?”
Archer shrugged. “It’s not like the preserve is flush with extra funds. But I’ll figure something out.”
Fisher was talking then, but Josie let her attention wander. The years had been good to the Boone family.
She studied Archer Boone. He’d always been a serious sort, even as a boy. His brothers were tall, thick and broad. But Archer was taller, lean and trim. Her gaze traveled to Fisher, sprawled in an armchair, devouring cookies. He was the thickest, a tree trunk of a man. He’d been the smallest as a boy. But, no matter how much his physique might have changed, he was still the joker she remembered. Now, Ryder... She had to bite back a smile, remembering Annabeth’s undisguised lust for the youngest Boone brother. There was no doubt Ryder was probably the best looking, and he knew it. But there was also no question he was trouble.
When she finally allowed herself to look at Hunter, he cocked an eyebrow at her. She smiled, holding her mug in front of her mouth. The slight tilt of his head, the quirk of his mouth... She loved him. And it felt wonderful and warm and horribly painful. His brow furrowed before she turned away, staring into her mug to collect herself.
What was she doing, sitting here, daydreaming? Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d be in Stonewall Crossing having dinner with the Boones, talking animals and family, a week before Christmas.
“We should be getting on home,” her father said. “It’s getting late and tomorrow’s going to be crazy. And we still have to get Miss Lola home.”
Did her dad just wink at Lola? She glanced at Hunter, and he was smiling from ear to ear.
“Everything’s ready, Carl, don’t fret.” Lola patted her father’s hand. “Between Josie, Dara and me, we’ve made an army of cookies, and then some. Unless Fisher’s eaten them all, that is.” Lola shook h
er head as Fisher ate another gingerbread man in two bites.
Fisher grinned. “They’re good.”
“Obviously.” Renata smirked. “Chamber’s ready, too. Of course, everyone’s a little too excited about the reporter coming from the State Tourism Department. We want Stonewall Crossing to shine as a tourist destination. And a safe place to get an exceptional education.” She smiled at her brothers.
“Exciting times,” Lola said.